Step turner



March 24, 1953 P. A. MoNTANUs ET AL STEP TURNER 7 Sheets-Sheet l Filed Feb. 26, 1948 :Smacntors ZY J Bg M Q. i y

j?? ttornegs March 24, 1953 IOZ /75 (Ittomegs MalCh 24, 1953 P. A. MoNTANus ETAL 2,632,353

STEP TURNER Filed Feb. 26, 1948 '7 Sheets-Sheet 5 Gttornegs March 24, 1953 P. A. MoNTANUs ET AL 2,632,353

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STEP TURNER Filed Feb. 26, 1948 7 Sheets-Sheet 5 ZIO wwwwwwwwwwwwwwww (Ittomegs MalCh 24, 1953 P. A. MoNTANus ETAL. 2,632,353

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STEP TURNER Filed Feb. 2e, 194e 7 sheets-sheet v nventors 35,2 Bg Mzdrw a @WZ/M (Ittorneg:

Patented Mar. 24, 1953 UNI T E D S Tv g ATENT OFFICE STEP TURNER of Ohio Application February 26, 1948, Serial No. 11,064

10 Claims.

This invention relates to lathes.

One of the principal objects of the invention is to provide a simple and effective attachment for a lathe which will make possible automatic step turning operations on the lathe through the conventional mechanical drives employed for ordinary longitudinal and cross feeding purposes.

Another object is to provide such an attachment which can Ibe readily built into a new lathe and which is also of such simple and compact construction that it can be installed quickly and easily on a pre-existing lathe to adapt the lathe for automatic step turning yoperations without disabling the other lathe functions, controls or operations.

Still another object is to provide such an attachment for mounting on a lathe carriage which makes use of the clutches customarily emplo-yed for transmitting the drive to the carriage and compound rest in ordinary lathe operation and which is effective to cause automatic alternate engagement and disengagement of the l clutches to produce a step turned workpiece in accordance with a predetermined pattern.

It is also an object of the invention to provide simple and effective alternative attachments for guiding step turning operations of a lathe by means of a preformed template or master, by a specimen or replica of the workpiece to be produced, or by a series of adjustable stops which can be quickly and easily arranged in proper longitudinal and lateral spacing to define a desired step turning pattern to -be reproduced on the lathe.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following description, the accompanying drawings and the apv pended claims.

In the drawings, in which like characters of reference designate like parts throughout- Fig. 1 is a view in perspective showing a lathe embodying step turning apparatus in accordance with the invention;

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary top plan of the lathe showing the carriage and parts supported thereby;

Fig. 3 is a sectional View on a larger scale taken on the line 3 3 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a sectional view on the line 4 4 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is a view in vertical sectio-n on the line 5 5 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 6 is a View in Vertical section on the line 6 6 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary elevational View on a 2 larger scale looking in the direction indicated by the line 1 7 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 8 is a section on the line 8 8 of Fig. '7 and also of Fig. 9;

Fig. 9 is a section on the line A9 9 of Fig. 7 and also of Fig. 8;

Fig. 10 is a fragmentary section on the line lil-lli ofFig. 8;

Fig. 11 is a wiring diagram;

Fig. 12 is a fragmentary view in perspective showing a lathe embodying a modied form of step turning apparatus in accordance with the invention;

Fig. 13 is a perspective view on a larger scale showing the apron of the lathe of Fig. 12;

Fig. 14 is a sectional view on a larger scale similar to Figs. 5 and 6 and taken approximately on the line lli-I4 of Fig. 13;

Fig. 15 is an elevational View of one of the stop members defining the step turning pattern in the lathe of Fig. 12;

Fig. 16 is an end View of the stop member of Fig. 15;

Fig. 17 is an end view of a modied construction of stop member;

Fig. 18 is a circuit diagram;

Fig. 19 is a fragmentary top plan View of a lathe embodying a form of the invention and adapted to carry out a step turning operation when guided by a duplicate of the workpiece to be produced; and

Fig. 20 is a fragmentary View in end elevation of a portion of the lathe shown in Fig. 19.

Referring to the drawings, which illustrate preferred embodiments of the invention, Figs. 1 and 2 show a lathe incorporating step turning apparatus in accordance with the invention for producing a step turned workpiece 22. The lathe includes a headstock 25 containing the main driving mechanism for the spindle 26 which supports one end of the workpiece, the other end being supported by a tailstock 2l mounted for longitudinal adjustment on the lathe ,bed 23 with respect to headstock 25. The lathe carriage 33 provided with an apron 3| is mounted for movement longitudinally on the lathe bed and supports a compound rest comprising Ia bottom or cross slide 32, swivel 33 and top slide 311 on which is mounted the tool post 35 for carrying a tool 36. The feed rod 40 for driving the carriage extends across the front of the bed below the usual lead screw 4l which is used for thread chasing but not in connection with the step turning operations of the lathe. Cross feeding movement of the compound rest is effected by the cross feed screw 44 (Figs. 3 and 5) journaled in the cross 3 feed screw bushing 45 and provided with a ball crank 45 for manual operation. The top slide may be similarly adjusted manually on swivel 33 yby means of the ball crank 41.

The carriage 35 and apron 3| support two selectively operable clutches for establishing driving connections from the feed rod 40 to effect alternate longitudinal and cross feeding movement of the compound rest. Referring more particularly to Figs. 3 to 6, the feed rod 40 is driven from the main drive in the headstock 25 through the usual gear transmission and has a reversible dog clutch member 55 (Fig. 4) splined thereon and adapted for selective connection with either of two bevel pinions 5| and 52. The clutch 50 is controlled by shaft 53 (Fig. 5). having a crank handle 54 at its outer end for manual operation. In carrying out step turning operations in accordance with the present invention, only one of these pinions is required for work movement, for example the pinion 5|, the other pinion 52 being used only for reversing the drive to return the carriage to its starting position underrnormal operation.

The pinion 5| engages a bevel gear 55 on shaft 53, land the hub 55 of gear 55 includes a pinion 51 meshing with a gear 68 rotatably mounted by an elongated bushing 5| on a shaft 52 which is in turn mounted for limited axial movement in the apron 3| and the back plate 53 of the apron. Gear E cooperates with a clutch member 55 to form a friction clutch, the member 85 being mounted on the hub of a pinion 55 and having a beveled friction face 51 adapted for clutching engagement with a complementary frusto-conical recess in the adjacent face of gear 85 as Vshown in Figs. 4 and 5. Clutch member 55 and pinion S are secured to shaft 62 by a bushing or collar 88 for axial movement with the shaft with respect to gear 68 to provide for clutching engagement and disengagement.

Manual control over this movement of shaft 52 to operate clutch Sli-55 is afforded by a handle 1|) mounted by means of a pair of cam pins 1I in a sleeve 12 secured to one of a pair of bosses 13 on the front of a casing 15 which is in turn mounted on the front of apron 3|. A spring 11 is mounted within casing 15 and engages a thrust bearing 18 on shaft 52 to bias the shaft to a position of relative disengagement of the clutch Sil- 65. A similar thrust bearing 80 is held axially on the outer end of shaft 62 by collar 8| and nuts 82, and cam pins 1| cooperate with bearing Si) when the handle 1Q is raised as shown in Fig. 4 to force the shaft 62 axially outwardly, from left to right as viewed in Fig. 5, and thus to pull clutch member 65 into clutching engagement with gear 60. This movement may be relatively slight, a total movement of only about 31-2 inch having been found satisfactory, and it will be noted that clutch 50--65 is shown in eng-aged position in Fig. 4 and in disengaged position in Fig. 5.

The pinion 85 meshes with the rack gear 85 (Fig. 4), which is splined or keyed at 85 on the shaft portion 88 of the rack pinion 81 meshing with rack 88, which is mounted on the bed above the lead screw 4|. Rack pinion shaft 85 is axially slidable in the apron and plate 53 to move the rack pinion 81 into and out of mesh with rack 88 and is provided with a suitable hand operating knob 5D. It will thus be seen that when clutch Bil-65 is in engagement, the drive is transmitted from feed rod 4|) and clutch 5l) .through bevel pinion 5|, bevel gear 55, pinion 51,

4 gear 60, clutch member 65, pinion 68 and gear to the rack pinion 81 and rack 88, and the rotation of rack pinion 81 with respect to the rack 88 will accordingly cause the carriage to move longitudinally of the bed.

The reverse drive to move the carriage in the opposite direction is obtained by shifting clutch 5U to engage with the bevel pinion 52. Rack gear 85 also meshes with a pinion 9| on a shaft 92 provided with a hand wheel 95 for manually driving the carriage.

The drive for effecting cross feeding movement of the compound rest includes a selectively operable clutch similar to the clutch Sil- 65. The gear 8B includes a hub on which is secured a pinion 95 meshing with a similar pinion |00 secured on the hub of a clutch member |ll| rotatably mounted on a shaft |02 by means of a bushing |83. The shaft |02 is similar to shaft 62 and is similarly mounted for axial movement in apron 3| and plate 63. The clutch member |8| has a beveled clutch face |54 adapted for clutching engagement with a complementary frusto-conical recess in a gear |85. The gear '|05 is rotatable on shaft |82 but is secured for axial movement therewith by means of a collar '|06 axially slidable in plate '63. The gear |85 meshes with the cross feed pinion |01 on cross feed screw 413 as shown in Figs. 3 and 5. v

The shaft |52 is provided with means 'formanually engaging the clutch ||-'-'||35 similar to the corresponding manual controls for the clutch Sli-55. The handle is operable similarly to the handle 1i) to pull the shaft |02 outwardly of the carriage across the biasing force of a spring positioned within casing 15 and operating against thrust bearing v| i2. The handle IIU is mounted on sleeve I3 by cam pins i4 similar to the cam pins 1| and cooperating with thrust bearing ||5 at the outer end of shaft |52. Thus when handle |15 is hanging down in a position similar to that shown for handle 18 in Fig. 5, the clutch lill-|85 is disengaged as shown in Fig. 4, and when the handle is raised to the position shown in Fig. 6, the 'shaft is pulled outwardly and thus carries gear '|55 into a position of clutch engagement with the beveled friction face |54 of clutch member 10| as shown in Fig. 6. With the parts in the position shown in Fig. 6, the drive will be transmitted from feed rod '40 through clutch 5U, bevel pinion 5|, bevel gear 55, pinion 51, gear 5U, pinions 99 and |08, clutch member IUI and gear |85 to the cross feed vpinion |51 (Figs. 3 and 5) to cause Vrotation of cross feed screw 44 and thus to eect cross feeding movement of the compound rest with respect to the carriage 3D and bed 28.

Power operated means are provided for Vcooperation with springs 11 and to effect selective engagement and disengagement of the clutches Bil-65 and IDI-|05 to cause the lathe to carry out a step turning operation in accordance with a preformed template or other guiding means. Referring to Figs. 3 and 5, a forked lever |20 straddles the shaft'GZ and is pivotally mounted at |2| in the casing 15. This lever in.

cludes cam portions |22 adapted to engage ai thrust bearing |23 on the shaft 82 which is'slidable on shaft 62 and abuts a collar |24 threadedv vto engage the upper end of lever-|20. The'control circuits to solenoid |21 are such that when the solenoid is deenergized, the spring 11 will force shaft 62 from right to left in Fig. 5 and hence to a position of disengagement of clutch 60-65. When the solenoid |21 is energized, it will rotate in clockwise direction as viewed in Fig. 5, thus acting through roller |28 to force lever |20, to swing in clockwise direction about its pivot point |2| and thus to act through cam portion |22, thrust bearing |23 and collar |24 to move shaft 62 against the biasing force of spring 11 and thus to cause engagement of clutch 60-65. The threaded mounting of collar |24 on shaft portion |25 provides for adjustment to assure a full stroke of solenoid |21 when the latter is energized.

The operating means for clutch |||05 includes a forked lever |30 mounted to straddle shaft |02 and pivotally mounted at |3| in the upper part of casing 15. The lever |30 includes cam portions |32 cooperating with a thrust bearing |33 on shaft |02, the collar |34 and shaft portion |35 being similar to the corresponding parts on shaft 62. A rotary solenoid |31 is mounted in casing 15 and carries a roller |38 engaging the lower end of lever 30. The operation of this solenoid is similar to that of solenoid |21 as already described. When solenoid |31 is deenergized, spring biases shaft |02 from right to left in Fig. 6, and hence to a position of disengagement of clutch |0||05. When the solenoid is energized it rotates in clockwise direction as viewed in Fig. 6, and thus forces lever |30 to move in counterclockwise direction and to force shaft |02 to a position of engagement of clutch |0|-|05.

Means are provided for selectively energizing the solenoids |21 and |31 to effect selective engagement and disengagement of the clutches 60- 65 and |0`||05 and thus to cause alternate longitudinal and cross feeding movement of the cross slide 32 to carry out a step turning operation on the workpiece 22 in accordance with a predeter- .mined pattern. Referring more particularly to Figs. 2 and '1, a template comprising a flat plate y|50 is mounted in fixed relation with the lathe bed 28 by means of a bracket |5| secured to the rear of the bed. A plate |52 is bolted on top of bracket and a hold down plate |53 is bolted along the outer edge of plate |52 and in overhanging relation therewith to form a groove for receiving the outer edge of plate |50, Awhich is locked therein by means of set screws |54 as lshown in Fig. 7. Template |50 is provided with an inner guiding edge comprising a series of relatively oiTset longitudinal portions |55@ to |5511 which correspond to the portions 22a to 22d respectively of the workpiece, and these longitudinal portions of the template edge are connected by laterally arranged shoulder portions |56a to |560. Spacers |51 (Fig. 7) may be bolted to the upper surface of plate v|52 to provide additional support for the template |50.

A feeler or sensing unit indicated generally at |60 is secured to a bracket |6| which is in turn bolted at |62 to the cross slide 32. Bracket |6| includes an arm portion |63 to which the casing 65 of the unit |60 is secured by bolts |66 in slots |61 to provide for adjustment laterally of the lathe. A single pole, double throw switch (Fig. 8) is mounted in casing |85, and the switch arm |1| of switch |10 is connected to one side of the main power line as shown in Fig. 11. The two switch terminals |12 and |13 are connected respectively to solenods |21 and |31 through a double pole, single throw switch |15', shown in Figs. 3 and 4 as mounted in casing 15 and provided with a manual control member |16. Sockets |11 are mounted in the walls of casing |65 and provide for quick connection between switchv |10 and the power line and operating circuits of the lathe.

The switch |10 is provided With an external operating button |60, and an L-shaped spring lever |8| is bolted within :casing |65 in position to extend below button A coil spring |82 is supported within the casing by a stud |83y and normally exerts pressure downwardly against the free end of lever |8| to force the lever away from button |80 and to effect release of this button so that the switch arm |1| will be in its normal position of contact with the switch terminal |12 to complete the energizing circuit through solenoid |21 and thus to cause engagement of clutch 60- 65. The circuitarrangement is such, as shown in Fig. 11, that when lever I8| is forced into contact with button |80, switch arm |1| shifts into contact with terminal |13, thus deenergizing solenoid |21 and completing the energizing circuit through solenoid |31, to effect disengagement of clutch 50-65 `and engagement of clutch |0 l| 05.

A control `ringer |85 extends downwardly from a sleeve |86 pivotally mounted in casing |65 by a shaft |81 having sharp ends supported in suitable end bearings mounted respectively in the wall of the casing and in a stud |88 threaded in the casing for purposes of adjustment, sleeve |86 having a sliding fit on shaft |81. One end of sleeve |86 is formed with a V-groove (Fig. 10) to receive the complementary shaped end of asimilar sleeve |89 from which a lever arm |90 extends at right angles to nger |85, the adjacent ends of the two sleeves |86 and |89 thus forming a dog clutch. The sleeve |89 isforce tted or otherwise secured to shaft |81, and a spring |9| normally urges the two sleeves into clutching engagement so that they cooperate with linger |85 and arm |90 to form a bell crank unit as shown in Fig. 8.

The lever arm |90 carries a pin |92 adapted to engage the underside of spring lever |8| so that when the bell crank is rotated in clockwise direction as viewed in Fig. 8, the parts |90 and |92 will force lever |8| upwardly against the urging of spring |02, thus forcing lever |8| against button |80 to effect shifting of switch arm as described. A pin or stud |03 is mounted in the cover plate |93 which closes the bottom of casing |65 and acts as a stop to abut lever |90 for limiting counterclockwise ymovement of the bell crank,

the stud |83 similarly serving as a stop to limit clockwise movement of the bell crank.

The control nger |85 extends downwardly through a suitable hole in the cover plate |94,

and it includes an end portion 95 pivoted thereto and normally held in axial alignment therewith by a spring |86 (Fig. 7 With this arrangement, if the feeler unit should accidentally be driven against the template during cross feed- 'ing movement toward the back of the lathe, as

init-ted by the stop pins |83 and |93. It will be seen that vif such movement should occur, Ithe sleeve |86 will move axially against spring |9| and at the same time move angularly with respect to sleeve |89 and out of clutching engagement therewith, 'thus preventing undue stress on lever arm |90.

It will accordingly be seen that spring |82 normally acts through lever |8| to bias the bell crank unit in counterclockwise direction as viewed in Fig. 8 to the limit permitted by stud |93. The control nger |85 thus extends downwardly and slightly beyond the vertical, i. e., to the right as viewed in Fig. 8, and lever |8| is out of contact with switch button |80, this being the position in which solenoid |21 is energized to effect engagement of clutch Bil- 55. When the control finger |85 is moved to rock the bell crank against the action of spring |82, the lever arm |90 and pin |92 raise the lever |8| against the urging of spring |82 and into contact with button |80. This in turn effects shifting of switch arm |1'| out of contact with terminal |12 and into co'ntact with terminal |13, thus deencrgizing solenoid |21 and energizing solenoid |31, this action in turn effecting disengagement of clutch 60-65 and substantially simultaneous engagement of clutch lill-|05.

ln operation with the lathe constructed `as described in connection with Figs. l to ll, the guiding edge of the template plate |5 denes the step turning pattern to be reproduced on the workpiece 22. The workpiece may first be forged or `otherwise roughly formed to approximate its nal design within the cutting range of a single cut of tool S6, for example by operating the lathe utilizing the manual controls, to minimize the time required for the finishing operation. For the automatic step turning operation, the workpiece is mounted with its small end supported by the tail stock 21, and the carriage and compound rest are adjusted by operation of the hand controls to proper position for the first cut to form the portion 22a of smallest diameter. The adjustment of the compound rest also includes the setting of the feeler unit |60 so that control finger |95 is in contact with the edge portion |55a of template |50. This positioning and adjustment may be done manually, by operation of ball cranks 48 and 41 and handwheel 95, or the mechanical drive may be employed by suits able manipulation of clutch handles 1 and U0, and during this operation the switch control member |16 is in the open or Hand positionI indioated in Fige.

After the lathe .is properly set, the control member |16 is shifted to its closed or Auto position, and clutch member 50 on the reed rod is shifted to a position of engagement with pinion 5|E With the control finger |85 in Contact with the edge portion |55@ of the template. solenoid |21 will be energiged to effect engagement of clutch Bil-65, and the carriage will accordingly be driven longitudinally of the bed toward the headstock until control finger |85 reaches the shoulder |56@ on the template. When this oe ours, the relative movement of control linger 65 and shoulder |5691 causes the bell crank unit to rock in clockwise direction as viewed in Fig, 8 and thus to act through lever arm |90 to effect shifting of switch arm 31| to a position opening the energizing circuit through solenoid |21 and closing the energizing circuit through solenoid |31. As a result, clutch (t0-65 will be disengaged tudinal movement of the carriage, and substan-i tially simultaneously clutch |||05 will be en-I gaged by the action of solenoid |31 and lever |30 to eiect cross feeding movement of the compound rest through cross feed screw 44.

This cross feeding movement will continue until control finger is carried laterally and out-v wardly clear of shoulder |56a, whereupon spring |82 will again rock the bell crank unit to a position effecting the return of switch arm |1| to its former position, :thus causing disengagement of clutch |0||05 and substantially simultaneous engagement of clutch Bil-'65. This alternate engagement and disengagement of the clutches will continue until the operation is stopped manually or until the carriage has reached its lim-it of travel as predetermined by the setting of the usual 'automatic stop, not shown. When the operation is completed, the workpiece 22 will be found to be an accurate reproduction of the step turning pattern as determined by the guiding edge of template |50, with the longitudinal p0rtions of the workpiece corresponding to the similar longitudinal portions of the template and the relative offsets of these longitudinal portions corresponding to the dimensions of the shoulders |5611. to |56c measured transversely of the lathe.

It will accordingly be seen that the invention provides simple and effective means for carrying out step turning operations on a lathe by means of .the mechanical drives already provided for ordinary longitudinal and cross feeding purposes. Furthermore, the step turning mechanism as described and shown is readily adapted for use as a permanent attachment for a pre-existing lathe without disabling the other functions, controls or operations of the lathe. Thus When switch |15 is open, the automatic step turning controls are completely cut out, and the lathe may be operated in the normal manner for ordinary engine lathe use, the desired longitudinal and cross feeding movements of the compound rest being effected under manual control through handles 10 and I0.

The installation of the attachment on a preexisting lathe is simple and requires little time. Thus it is conventional to provide manual clutch controls such as handles 10 and ||0, which may be mounted directly on the apron by securing the sleeves 'i2 and ||3 to the boss portions |91 (Figs. i-6) of the apron. In order, therefore, to install the attachment, it is necessary Only t0 transfer collars 12 and I |3 to the boss portions 13 of casing 15, substitute shafts 62 and |02 of suita-i ble length, and mount casing 15 directly on bosses |91 on the apron. The feeler unit can be simllarly secured to the cross slide by a simple bolting operation, and the lathe will then be ready for automatic step turning operations.

Figs. l2 to 18 illustrate a lathe wherein the clutches for effecting longitudinal and cross feeding movement of the compound rest are operated for step turning by fluid pressure cylinders con- -troll'ed by an electric control circuit and feeler unit. In Fig. l2, a step turned workpiece 200 is shown as supported by the head stock 20| and tailstock 22 of a lathe provided with a bed 203 supporting a carriage 205 `having an apron 205. Carriage 205 in turn supports a compound rest identiiied generally as 210 of similar construe tion to the compound rest of the lathe of Figs. 1 to l1A .and similarly carrying a tool post and tool 2|r2. The mechanical :and manual driving parts in Figs. 12 to 14 are also similar in construction and operation to the corresponding partszin Figs. 1 to 11.

A hydraulic operating unit for the clutch `controlling longitudinal movement of carriage 205 is located in the cylindrical casing 215, which is mounted by means of bolts 216 on the boss 211 at the front of apron 206 and thus may be quickly and easily attached to the apron in place of the usual manual control handle and mounting collar described in connection with the lathe of Figs. 1 to 1l. Referring particularly to Fig. 14, the clutch for longitudinal movement comprises a gear 220 rotatably mounted by a bushing 221 on a shaft 222 corresponding to shaft 62 and similarly mounted for limited axial movement in apron 206 and the back plate 223 of the apron. Clutch member 225 corresponds to the clutch member 65 and is provided with a beveled friction face 226 for engagement with the corresponding frusto-conical recess in gear 220, `and clutch member 225 is secured to shaft 222 for axial movement with the shaft to provide for clutching engagement and disengagement. Gear 220 also carries a pinion 221 corresponding to the pinion 99 in Figs. 3 to 5, and clutch member 225 is mounted on the hub of a pinion 228 which corresponds to the pinion 66 in Figs. 4 and 5.

A piston 236 is slid'able in a cylindrical chamber 232 in the outer end of casing 215. A cap 233 is secured to the outer end of casing 215 as by means of bolts 234, and a spring 235 is positioned between cap 233 and piston 230 to bias the piston from right to left as viewed vin Fig. 14. A shaft or rod 240 is secured at one end to the piston 236, and it extends through a gland 241 in casing 215 into the chamber 242 in the inner end of the casing. A socket member 243 is threaded on the inner end of rod 240, and its opposite end is tapped for threaded connection with a collar 244 having sliding clearance With shaft 222. The collar 244 is adapted to abut a thrust bearing 245 mounted on the shaft 222 by means of collars 246 land 241 and nuts 248. With this construction when piston 240 moves from right to left in Fig. 14 under the biasing force of spring 235, the annular shoulder 249 in socket member 243 engages the collar 241 and thus moves the shaft 222 similarly from right to left to disengage the clutch 2211-225, and when piston 230 moves in the opposite direction, collar 244 Will act through bearing 245 and collar 241 to move the shaft 222 from left to right as viewed in Fig. 14 and thus eiect engagement of clutch 22B-225.

Means are provided for supplying a controlled flow of hydraulic fluid to -cylinder 232 between piston 231i and gland 241 to drive the piston :against spring 235 and thus to effect engagement Iof clutch 220-225. Referring particularly to Figs. 13, 14 and 18, a pipe or hose 253 for hydraulic Fluid leads into the cylinder 232 as indicated 'at 251 in Figs. 14 and 18. Hydraulic fluid is supplied to hose 2511 under pressure from a suitable 'source such as a main supply line 252 and pump 'as indicated in Fig. 18. 'Ihe main supply line '252 is branched to form separate lines 253 and 254, and the branch line 253 leads to a three-way valve 255 controlled by a solenoid 256 and having a connection to a return line 251 leading to the sump of the supply pump.

The operation of valve 255 is such, as indicated in Fig. 13, that when solenoid 256 is energized, hydraulic fluid under pressure flows from main line 252 and branch line 253 to nose 253 and into cylinder 232, thus forcing piston 236 to its position eiecting engagement of clutch 2211-225. Whenv solenoid 256 Tis deenergized, the Ybranch supply ,line .253 is .out oif 'at vali/e ,255., and 4the hose 256 is connected directly with the return line 251 to conduct the hydraulic fluid away from cylinder 232 and thus to permit spring 235 to return piston 233 to a position eiecting disengagement of clutch 22u- 225.

A similar operating mechanism is provided for controlling the cross feeding movement of the compound rest 2 1 E1. The cross feed screw, which is journaled in the cross feed bushing 260 and provided with a ball crank 262 as described and shown in Figs. 3 Iand 5, is operated through a clutch and gearing of construction similar to those described in connection with Figs. 3 to 6. A hydraulic operating unit of the same construction as that shown in Fig. 14 is located in the cylindrical casing 265 mounted on the front of apron 236, and it includes a cylinder 266, piston 261, spring 268 and piston rod 266 as indicated in Fig. 18. A pipe or hose 210 for hydraulic iluid is connected with cylinder 266 at 21| and is supplied With fluid under pressure from the branch supply 'line 254 through valve 212, which is simila11 in construction to valve 255 and is similarly operated by a solenoid 213. It will also be noted that provision is made for conducting back to the sump any hydraulic fluid which may leak past pistons 236 and 261. As shown in Fig. 18, lines 215 Iand 216 are connected with the low pressure sides of pistons 236 and 261 and connect through a fitting 211 with a line 218 leading to the sump.

Fig. 18 shows the electric circuits for controlling solenoids 256 and 213 to provide for automatic step turning operation of the lathe, and these circuits also are used for effecting manually controlled lathe operation. A main switch unit 336 is mounted on apron 203 as shown in Figs. 12 and 13, and it includes three manually operable switch arms 33|, 332 and 303, each having "on and off positions and each controlling a relay 355, 336 and 331 respectively. The switch arm 36.1 is the selector switch for selecting between manual and automatic operation of the lathe, and one side 313 of the main power line is connected to switch arm 3111 through switch arms 362 and 353 and the off terminals of the switch arms 332 and 363. The other side 311 of the power line is connected to one of the upper pair of switch terminals of each of the relays 305, 306 and 331, and it is also connected through the operating coil of `each of these relays to the on terminals of switch arms 301, 302 and 303.

The switch 315 in Fig. 18 corresponds to switch 116 in Fig. 11 and is a single pole, double throw switch in the feeler unit indicated generally at 316 in Fig. 12 which is secured to the compound rest by a bar 311 and provided with a control finger 320. The switch arm 321 of switch 315 is connected to one of the lower pair of switch terminals in relay 365. The terminal 322 of switch 315 is connected to one of the lower pair of terminals in relay 336 and to the solenoid 256, and the other terminal 323 of switch 315 is similarly connected to one of the lower pair of terminals of relay 301 and to the solenoid 213. The two solenoids 256 and 213 are also connected through a line 325 to the upper pair of terminals in each of relays 365, 366 and 361. The switch arm 32| is mounted for shifting movement between its terminals 322 and 323, and this movement is controlled by the control finger 325 in the same manner as already described in connection with Figs. 1 to 11.

It will accordingly be seen that when switch arm 361 is in its 01T position, either of the relays 306 and 301 can be selectively energized by manual shifting of switch arms 302 and 303 to effect selective longitudinal or cross feeding movement, respectively, of the compound rest 2|!) for normal, non-automatic lathe operations. Thus when switch arm 302 is in on position, it completes an energizing circuit through the operating coil of relay 306, and this in turn completes an energizing circuit through solenoid 256, the circuit being from power line 3|0 through the lower pair of terminals of relay 30E to solenoid 253 and then through line 325 and the upper pair of terminals of relay 306 and back to power line 3| I. It will also be noted that only one of switch arms 35|, 302 and 303'can be operated at any one time. Thus if, for example, switch arm 302 is in on position, the circuit through switch arm 35| is open, and if switch arm 303 were then moved to on position, this would automatically open the circuit through switch arm 302 to prevent simultaneous longitudinal and cross feeding movement.

As already pointed out, when solenoid 256 is energized, it shifts valve 255 to a position admitting hydraulic fluid to the cylinder 232 to force piston 230 toy a position effecting engagement of clutch 22B- 225. Similarly when switch arm 303 is in on position, it completes an energizing circuit through the operating coil of relai7 331 and in turn completes an energizing circuit through solenoid 213, the circuit being from power line 310 through the lower pair of terminals of relay 301to solenoid 213 and then through line 325 and the upper pair of terminals of relay 301 back to power line 3| |,4 thus effecting engagement of the proper clutch for cross feeding movement of the compound rest.

For automatic step turning operation of the lathe, switch arm 30| is moved tov on position, thus energizing the operating coil of relay 305 to close the two pairs of switch terminals therein, and this transfers control of solenoids 256 and 213 to the switch 3|5 in the feeler unit. Under these conditions, and with switch arm 32| in contact with terminal 322 as shown in Fig. 18, an energizing circuit is completed through solenoid 255, this circuit being from power line 3|0 through the lower pair of terminals of relay 305 to switch arm 32| and then through terminal 322, solenoid 256, line 325 and the upper pair of terminals of relay 355 to power line 3||. Similarly when switch arm 32| is moved into contact with terminal 323, an energizing circuit is completed through solenoid 213, this circuit being from power linev 310 through the lower pair of terminals of relay 305 to switch arm 32|, and then through terminal 323, solenoid 213, line 325 and the upper pair of terminals of relay 305 to power line 3| It will thus be seen that the lathe can be caused to. carry out step turning operations automatically in accordance with an appropriate template or other pattern for effecting selective shifting of the switch arm 32| in a manner similar to thatA described in connection with Figs. 1 to 1l.

Fig. l2 shows the lathe as provided with a series of adjustable stop units 335e to 330e for guiding the feeler unit instead of a template of the construction shown and described in connection with Figs. 1 to l1, and the construction of these stops is shown in more detail in Figs. 15 and 16. Each stop is mounted for longitudinal movement on a guide bar 33|.mounted in fixed relation with the lathe bed by means of a suitable bracket 332, which may be. of the same con- 12 struction as the bracket |'5I in the lathe of Figs. l to 1l.

Each stop includes a channel member 333 having its lower portion formed with a dovetail slot as shown in Fig. l5 to receive the upper part of the guide bar 33| and provided with a set screw 332 for securing it in xed adjusted position on the guide bar. A narrow plate 335 is mounted for sliding movement in each channel 333 transversely of bar 33| the plate 335 being of greater width than the depth of the channel portion in which it is received so that it extends above the top of the channel as shown in Figs. 15 and 16 to serve as a stop member for the control iinger 323. A screw 333 is threaded into the outer end oi each channel 333 to provide for accurately locating the plate 335, and set screws 331 are provided for locking each plate 335 in adjusted position.

With this construction, the stops 330e to 330e are first adjusted longitudinally of the guide bar 33| at proper relative spacings corresponding to the length of each of the stepped portions of the workpiece. As shown in Fig. 12, the workpiece 233 has five stepped portions and accordingly only four stops are used, thel stop 333e being shown as located at the end of guide bar 33| out of the way. After the proper number of stops is arranged longitudinally of the guide bar, the plates 335 are adjusted transversely of the guide bar in accordance with the desired dimensions of the offsets on the workpiece.

The. operation of the lathe utilizing stops of the type shown in Fig, 12 is substantially the same as that already described in connection with Figs. 1 to 11. The lathe is first adjusted so that the tool in the compound rest 2|@ is in proper position for forming the smallest portion of the workpiece, and in this position the feeler unit will be positioned forwardly of the stop 3306, i. e. between the stops 33M and 333e. The lathe is then set in operation with switch arm 30| in on position, and it will operate longitudinally until the control finger 320 strikes the plate 335 in stop 33M. This will cause switch arm 32| of switch 315 to shift from terminal 322 to terminal 323, thus shifting the lathe to cross feeding movement until control finger 320 is moved sufficiently to clear the inner end of the plate 335 in stop 33007.. Switch 3|5 will then be shifted back to its position for longitudinal movement of the compound rest, and the same operation will take place until the control nger 320 strikes the plate 335 in stop 3300. Similar alternate operations will be repeated until the workpiece is finished. During each period when the control finger is being carried between adjacent stops, no positive guiding action is required to maintain accurate longitudinal movement of the carriage and compound rest because the switch 3|5 normally effects engagement of clutch 223-225 except when the control linger is moved to its shifted position as explained in connection with Figs. '1 to 11.

Fig. 17 shows a modified construction of stop 333 similar to the stops 330a to 330e and adapted for use in producing step turned Workpieces in which there are relatively short longitudinal portions. As shown, the stop 340 includes a channel portion 34! wider than the channel portion 333 of stops 33011 to 330e and provided with three plates 352 each similar to the plates 335. These plates 342 can be adjusted to different positions in the channel in accordance with desired oisets in the workpiece, and each plate 342 is acaesasss curately provided with a locating and adjusting screw 343 corresponding to the screw 336 in Figs. 'l5 and 16. It will also be apparent that the plates 342 can be of different thicknesses to suit particular requirements of the workpiece to be produced. Stops of this construction and of the construction shown in Figs. 15 and 16 have been found particularly desirable for use in the lathe to produce a single step turned workpiece or when the number of duplicate workpieces to be produced does not warrant construction of a onepiece template of the type of the template |50 described in connection with Figs. 1 to 11. It will be seen that these stops can be quickly and readily adjusted in accordance with the special workpiece to be produced, and they will guide the lathe with the same accuracy as a one-piece template as described.

Figs. 19 and 20 illustrate operation of a lathe provided with step turning mechanism in accordance with the invention guided by a duplicate of the workpiece to be produced. Figs. 19 and 20 show portions of the carriage 35|) and bed 35| of a lathe, and a bracket 352 similar to the brackets |5| and 332 is secured to the bed for supporting the lathe-guiding mechanism. A guide bar 353 is secured to the bracket 352, and a bracket 355 is mounted for sliding movement on bar 353 controlled by clamps 356 and set screws 351. The bracket 355 includes an outwardly extending arm portion provided with a center 358 for supporting one end of guide member or pattern 36|! Shown as a duplicate or replica of the step turned workpiece to be produced on the lathe. The other end of pattern 360 is supported by a bracket 36| similar to the bracket 355 and similarly slidable on bar 353 and including a center 362. Bracket 33| is also provided with clamps 363 and set screws 364 for securing it in adjusted position along bar 353.

A feeler unit 355 is mounted on a bracket 366 similar in construction to the bracket |6| and similarly secured to the compound rest of the lathe, not shown. It will be noted, however, that the feeler unit 365 is turned through 90 from the position shown in Fig. 7 so that its control nger 310 extends horizontally. In order to provide for use of this unit with a guide member 380 having relatively deeply oiset portions as shown, an extension unit is secured to the control finger 31|) which comprises a collar 31| including a radially projecting finger 312 and a thumb screw 313 for securing the collar to the control finger 310.

The operation of the lathe with this arrangement of guiding mechanism is substantially the same as that of the lathe described in connection with Figs. 1 to 18, depending upon whether an all electric or an electric-hydraulic control mechanism is used. This arrangement has the advantage of providing for quick and accurate reproduction or duplication of a step turned workpiece without requiring time for preparation of a template or even time for adjusting and lining up adjustable stops of the type shown in Figs. to 17. Thus if a plurality of identical step turned workpieces are to be produced, the irst can be formed by operation of the lathe under manuel control, and this first specimen used as a pattern or master for automatic production of the remainder. It should also be noted that the guide member 353 need not be an exact duplicate of the workpiece to be produced, i. e, of the same radial dimensions, provided it substantially duplicates the workpiece to the extent that the offsets thereof are of the proper dimensions and are in proper longitudinal spacing.

While the forms of apparatus herein described constitute preferred embodiments of the invention, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to these precise forms of apparatus, and that changes may be made therein without departing from the scope of the invention which is defined in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

l. An automatic step turning attachment for a lathe having a carriage with a slide thereon and a mechanical drive including two selectively operable clutches supported by said Icarriage for effecting selective longitudinal and cross feeding movements of the slide under manual control in normal operation and adapted to be controlled by a stationary pattern for step turning operation, means for biasing each of said clutches in one direction, power operated means for eecting selective movement of said clutches against said biasing means, means for mounting said biasing means and said power operated means on said carriage in operative relation with said clutches, selective feeler control means for said power operated means, means for mounting said control means for movement with said slide in sensing relation with said pattern to effect alternate engagement of said ciutches and automatic alternate longitudinal and cross feeding movement of said slide in accordance with said pattern, and manually operable means for selectively effecting movement 0f said clutches against said biasing means independently vof said control means.

2. An automatic step turning attachment for a lathe having a carriage with a slide thereon and selectively operable drive means supported by the carriage for effecting selective longitudinal and cross :feeding movements of the slide under manual control in normal operation and adapted to be controlled by a stationary pattern for step turning operation, comprising power operated means for effecting selective operation of said drive means, means for mounting said power operated means on said carriage in operative relation with said drive means` means forming a control circuit for said power operated means, a selective eeler control member for said control circuit, means or mounting said control member for movement with said slide in sensing relation with said pattern to effect automatic alternate operation of said drive means. in accordance with said pattern, and manually operable means for eiiecting selective operation of said drive means for non-automatic operation of said lathe.

3.. An automatic step turning attachment for a lathe having a carriage with a slide thereon and.

a mechanical drive including two selectivelyy operable clutches supported by said carriage for effecting selective longitudinal and cross feeding movements of the slide under manual control in normal operation and adapted to be controlled by afstationary pattern for step turning operation, means for biasing each of said clutches in one direction, power operated means for eecting selective movement of said clutches against said biasing means, means for mounting said biasing means and said power operated means on said carriage in operative relation with said clutches, means forming a control circuit for said power operated means, a selective feeler control member for said control circuit, means for mounting said control member for movement with,v said slide inl sensing relation with said patternto ef- Y l fect automatic alternate engagement of said clutches to cause alternate longitudinal and cross feeding movement of said slide in accordance with pattern, and manually operable means for effecting selective movement of said clutches against said biasing means for non-automatic operation of said lathe.

4. An automatic step turning attachment for a lathe having a carriage with a slide thereon and a mechanical drive including two selectively operable clutches for effecting selective longitudinal and cross feeding movements of the slide under manual control in normal operation and adapted to be controlled by a stationary pattern for step turning operation, comprising power operated means for effecting selective engagement and disengagement of said clutches, means for mounting said power operated means on said lathe in operative relation with said clutches, means forming a control circuit for said power operated means, a switch in said control circuit having one operating position for effecting engagement of one of said clutches and a second operating position for effecting engagement of the other said clutch, a control finger mounted for pivotal movement with respect to said switch to shift said switch between said operating positions, and means for supporting said switch and control finger for movement with said slide in sensing relation with said pattern to effect switch-shifting movement of said control finger in accordance with said step turning pattern.

5. An automatic step turning attachment for a lathe having a carriage with a slide thereon and a mechanical drive including two selectively operable clutches supported by said carriage for effecting selective longitudinal and cross feeding movements of the slide under manual control in normal operation and adapted to be controlled by a stationary pattern for step turning operation, means for biasing each of said clutches in one direction, cam means for effecting movement of each said clutch against the action of said biasing means, a pair of selectively energizable rotary solenoids, means for mounting said solenoids in position to effect selective clutchmoving action of said cam means in response to energizing thereof, feeler control means for effecting selective energizing of said solenoids, and means for mounting said feeler control means for movement with said slide in sensing relation with said pattern to effect alternate energizing of said solenoids and corresponding alternate longitudinal and cross feeding movement of said slide in accordance with said pattern.

6. An automatic step turning attachment for a lathe having a carriage with a slide thereon and a mechanical drive including two selectively operable clutches supported by the carriage for effecting selective longitudinal and cross feeding movements of the slide under manual control in normal operation and adapted to be controlled by a stationary pattern for step turning operation, fluid pressure operated means mounted for movement with said carriage for effecting selective engagement of said clutches, means for controlling the .ow of fluid pressure to and from said fluid pressure operated means, a selective feeler control member for said fluid controlling means having two operating positions for effecting selective engagement of said clutches, and means for mounting said control member for movement with said slide in sensing relation with said pattern to cause said control member to shift Cil aesass 16 between said operating positions in accordance with said pattern.

7. An automatic step turning attachment for a lathe having a carriage with a slide thereon and a mechanical drive including two selectively operable clutches supported by the carriage supported by said carriage for effecting selective longitudinal and cross feeding movements of the slide under manual control in normal operation and adapted to be controlled by a stationary pattern for step turning operation, means for biasing each of said clutches in one direction, fluid pressure operated means mounted for movement with said carriage for effecting selective movement of said clutches against said biasing means, a control circuit for regulating the flow of uid pressure to and from said fluid pressure operated means, selective feeler control means for said circuit, means for mounting said control means for movement with said slide in sensing relation with said pattern to effect automatic alternate operation of said fluid pressure operated means and corresponding alternate longitudinal and cross feeding movement of said slide in accordance with said pattern, and manually operable means for effecting selective engagement of said clutches for non-automatic operation of said lathe.

8. An automatic step turning attachment for a lathe having a carriage with a slide thereon and selectively operable drive means supported by the carriage for effecting selective longitudinal and cross feeding movements of the slide under manual control in normal operation and adapted to be controlled by a stationary pattern for step turning operation, comprising power operated means for elfecting selective operation of said drive means, means for mounting said power operated means on said carriage in operative relation with said drive means, a control circuit for said power operated means, a switch in said control circuit having one operating position for effecting operation of said power operated means to cause longitudinal movement of said slide and a second operating position for effecting operation of said power operated means to cause cross feeding movement of said slide, a control nger mounted for pivotal movement with respect to said switch to shift said switch between said operating positions, and means for supporting said switch and control nger for movement with said slide in sensing relation with said pattern to eect switch-shifting movement of said control finger in accordance with said step turning pattern.

9. Apparatus for automatically forming a step turned workpiece of predetermined configuration on a lathe having a carriage with a slide thereon and selectively operable drive means supported by the carriage for effecting selective longitudinal and cross feeding movement of the slide, power operated means for effecting selective operation of said drive means, means for mounting said power operated means on said carriage in operative relation with said drive means, a control circuit for said power operated means, a switch in said circuit having one operating position for effecting longitudinal movement of said slide and a second operating position for effecting cross feeding movement of said slide, a control finger mounted for pivotal movement with respect to said switch to shift said switch between said operating positions, a bracket adapted to be secured to said lathe, a plate leaving an edge thereof formed with a series of relatively offset longitudinally extending portions connected by transverse shoulder portions to denne a step turning pattern, means for securing said plate to said bracket with said edge facing said slide, and means for sup-porting said switch for movement with said slide and with said control finger extending generally perpendicularly across said plate edge and in contact therewith to eiect switch-shifting movement of said control iinger in accordance with the configuration of said plate edge.

10. Apparatus for automatically forming a step turned workpiece of predetermined conguration on a lathe having a carriage with a slide thereon and selectively operable drive means supported by the carriage for effecting selective longitudinal and cross feeding movement of the slide, power operated means for eecting selective operation of said drive means, means for mounting said power operated means on said carriage in operative relation with said drive means, a control circuit for said power operated means, a switch in said circuit having one operating position for effectingv longitudinal movement of said slide and a second operating position for eiecting cross feeding movement of said slide, a control linger mounted for pivotal movement with respect to said switch to shift said switch between said operating positions, a supporting bracket adapted to be secured to said lathe, a plurality of stop units mounted for relative adjustment on said bracket longitudinally of said lathe, each said stop unit including a stop member adjustably supported for movement transversely of said lathe with respect tothe said stop members in said other stop units to dene therewith a step turning pattern, and means for supporting said switch for movement with said slide and with said control nnger in position for successive contact with said stop members to effect switch-shifting movement of said nger in accordance with the longitudinal spacings of said stop units and the transverse spacings of said stop members.

PAUL A. MONTANUS.

CHARLESy EL KRAUS.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the nle of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,711,290 Shaw Apr. 30, 1929 1,937,400 Bickel Nov. 28, 1933 2,051,127 Bickel et al Aug. 18, 1936 2,143,255 Abe Jan. 10, 1939 2,173,009 Cotal Sept. 12, 1939 2,437,603 Hornieck Mar. 9, 1948 2,557,860 Bickel et al June 19, 1951 

